Hey all I got a question. Did tomahawk heads have strictly oval eyes, or were rectangular eyes in use back in the day? I picked up a beautiful little (5") poll hawk, but it has a rectangular eye. I can wedge it properly, but is it "Colonial Correct"?? Thanks for any feedback.
Bruce

I hardly know for certain, but as many things were made one at a time by one's local blacksmith, an eye of almost any shape or size could be "colonial correct". An individual 'smith might have a mandrel he used to form the eyes in 'hawks and axes he made, but a regional or national standard? No. A regionally preferred pattern or general shape and configuration is much more likely.

Three Hawks

I think the most common eye shape is not an oval, but an elongated tear drop. The reason being that the most common method of manufacture was to fold a piece of iron in half over a mandrel and forge-weld the two sides together, usually, in the better ones, sandwitching a hardened piece of steel at the edge to provide a good cutting edge. The teardrop comes from the gradual bringing together of the two sides. To form the eye into a rectangle would be an unnatural way of joining the edges.

However, sometimes the eye is simply punched into a solid piece of iron with no folding involved. In that case, a rectangle could certainly be formed. Are you thinking of mid 1700's or mid 1800's for your style. Things could change as to what was typical.

Try looking for museum photos of originals to see if any appear. Also, there is a suttler who has done extensive research on tomahawks, half-axes, belt axes, etc. Try contacting him up for info. at Beaver River Trading Company.
http://www.beaverrivertradingco.com/index.html

Yes the rectangular eye is colonial appropriate.You go not start to see the elongated tear drop eye used in geberal until the mid 19th century ie 1850 ish.rectangular,round,wedge shaped,slit eyes are all period appropriate for pre 1840.

I'm thinking late 1700 or very early 1800. I think I'll just go with the rectangular eye and see what I end up with. Who knows it may turn out well.
Thanks
Bruce